Carbon monoxide poisoning
Long term symptoms and effects (part 2)
A good number of survivors are aware of at least some of the symptoms and effects from their carbon monoxide
poisoning.
Other survivors may only be aware of a smaller number of symptoms and effects but are never-the-less being
impacted in ways they have yet to recognize.
Still other survivors may say they feel "ok" but are in fact being impacted in ways they are unaware of,
unwilling to admit to, or unable to express.
In all there are four groups of carbon monoxide
poisoning survivors.
It takes watchful informed family members, friends, and observers to notice behavioral changes in a survivor
and understand that the changes began after the carbon monoxide poisoning and are likely
connected to it. These may well be behaviors that the survivor themself is unable to notice or admit to.
Unfortunately, if a survivor behaves in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable way, it is [much] more common for family,
friends, and coworkers to feel disappointed, then as additional things happen feel annoyed, escalating to anger,
and finally if it continues, backing away from the relationship.
Seldom do those close to a survivor understand that it is the ongoing effects from carbon monoxide poisoning
that continue to impact the survivors behavior, functioning, and their relationship.
Things like missed appointments, forgotten special occasions, incomplete work, seemingly inappropriate behavior,
mood instability, selfish/impulsive behavior, and unfamiliar reactions may baffle, frustrate, and annoy those
around the survivor.
It may take time for those close to the survivor to understand that although the survivor may look "normal",
sound "normal", and appear "normal", they have in fact changed and are behaving [somewhat] differently. Many may
never recognize the reason for the change.
Even though carbon monoxide poisoning statistics are up
to debate, the impact on the life of an unknown percentage of survivors is not. The long term effects of carbon
monoxide poisoning can create circumstances that trigger a downward spiral in the life of a survivor. This further
impacts the survivor and those close to them.
It is well known that major accidents, health challenges, and especially brain injuries create stressors on individuals and
families that [can] significantly increase turmoil and tension within a household. These stressors set the stage
for major life changes and the need to deal with some of the most stressful things that can happen to person:
family breakup, moving homes, changes to friendships, job loss/change, and financial upheaval.
For a survivor this additional upheaval may occur at a time when they are having subtle or even serious
difficulty with day-to-day functioning.
Sadly, a survivor and their family may never connect the dots and understand that carbon monoxide poisoning was
the underlying cause that triggered the life changes.
Even for a fully healthy person, major life changes such as these are extremely stressful.
Stress causes the body to produce a substance called cortisol which helps restore balance to a variety of functions within the body and brain,
particularly after the stress is gone.
Extended periods of stress cause destructive amounts of cortisol to be produced. This is damaging to a healthy
person, it is unimaginably brutal on top of the kind of damage caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The last thing
a survivor needs is more strain on an already weakened brain and body.
Ongoing stress further impacts the brain,
nervous system, endocrine system, heart and more. It increases the risk of heart attack and can
extend, complicate, or even reverse the progress of an already long recovery.
Long term effects can impact physical, mental, behavioral,
relationships, and work and career functioning.
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monoxide poisoning long term symptoms and effects (part 2)
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My brain that said was damaged from the carbon monoxide. It is very hard on my bad days to do a lot. Even making phone calls and talking down the number. I end up writing it backwards I have to go slow and take my time with it..
I have permanent neuro symptoms from mine.
We recently found out the furnace has been leaking carbon monoxide for many years. At last, it makes sense. Thanks for this website....it covers more symptoms and solutions than anywhere else.
My life blew apart in the years following poisoning and I was unable to make sense of why. All I knew is that almost everything changed.
I had a stable life, friends, job, and relationship then everything changed within 3 years of being poisoned - and they were not easy changes - they were really rough.
I never connected the dots, but to this day I have trouble remembering things as recent as hours before.